Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation
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Item
8.01. Other Events
On Oct. 3, 2017, Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo), a Colorado corporation, and wholly owned subsidiary of Xcel Energy Inc., filed a multi-year request with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) seeking to increase retail electric rates. The request, summarized below, is based on forecast test years ending Dec. 31, a 10.0 percent return on equity and an equity ratio of 55.25 percent.
Revenue
Request (millions of dollars)
2018
2019
2020
2021
Total
Revenue request
$
74.6
$
74.9
$
59.7
$
35.7
$
244.9
CACJA
revenue conversion to base rates (a)
90.4
—
—
—
90.4
TCA
revenue conversion to base rates (a)
42.7
—
—
—
42.7
Total (b)
$
207.7
$
74.9
$
59.7
$
35.7
$
378.0
Expected
year-end rate base (billions of dollars) (b)
$
6.8
$
7.1
$
7.3
$
7.4
(a)
The
roll-in of each of the Transmission Cost Adjustment (TCA) and Clean Air Clean Jobs Act (CACJA) rider revenues into base rates will not have an impact on total customer bills or total revenue as these costs are already being recovered from customers through a rider. Transmission investments for 2019 through 2021 will be recovered through the TCA rider.
(b)
This base rate request does not include the impacts associated with the renewable energy standard adjustment and retail electric commodity adjustment related to the Rush Creek wind investments which are scheduled to be placed in service in late 2018, or any impacts of the proposed Colorado Energy Plan, which was filed
with the CPUC in August 2017.
The rate request reflects continued capital investments, including amounts for distribution infrastructure necessary to meet growing customer energy needs. In addition, PSCo is planning to implement an Advanced Grid Intelligence and Security initiative driven by customer demand, which would result in more reliable and improved customer service, and potentially lower bills. The request also reflects increases in depreciation expense, based on a depreciation study approved by the CPUC in January 2017, which includes recovery of environmental investments and early coal plant retirements primarily associated with the CACJA.
Final rates are expected to be effective in June 2018. A stay-out provision and earnings test through 2021 have also been
proposed.
Certain information discussed in this Current Report on Form 8-K is forward-looking information that involves risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Forward-looking information includes, among other information, the expected impact of PSCo’s electric rate case, the impact of proposed rate adjustments, interim rates, and other statements identified by words such as “may,”“believe,”“expect,”“estimate,”“anticipate,”“would,” or “plan.” Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although Xcel Energy believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, any such statements may be influenced by factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to
be materially different from those projected. Factors, in addition to those discussed in Xcel Energy’s and PSCo’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2016, and subsequent securities filings, that could cause actual results to differ materially include: general economic conditions, including inflation rates, monetary fluctuations and their impact on capital expenditures and the ability of Xcel Energy Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, Xcel Energy) to obtain financing on favorable terms; business conditions in the energy industry; including the risk of a slow down in the U.S. economy or delay in growth recovery; trade, fiscal, taxation and environmental policies in areas where Xcel Energy and PSCo have a financial interest; customer business conditions; actions of credit rating agencies; competitive factors including the extent and timing of the entry of additional competition in the markets served
by Xcel Energy and its subsidiaries; unusual weather; effects of geopolitical events, including war and acts of terrorism; cyber security threats and data security breaches; state, federal and foreign legislative and regulatory initiatives that affect cost and investment recovery, have an impact on rates or have an impact on asset operation or ownership; or impose environmental compliance conditions; structures that affect the speed and degree to which competition enters the electric and natural gas markets; costs and other effects of legal and administrative proceedings, settlements, investigations and claims; financial or regulatory accounting policies imposed by regulatory bodies; outcomes of regulatory proceedings; availability or cost of capital; and employee work force factors. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Xcel Energy expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
